San Luis Obispo is notable for the multitude of outdoor activities it has to offer. Located on California’s Central Coast, pristine beaches are within 20 minutes to both the north and south. In the northern part of the county is Morro Bay, Pismo Beach and the state park, Montana de Oro. In Morro Bay, you can see the local otters that call the waters home. In Pismo beach is a Monarch Butterfly Grove, where Monarchs migrate to spend the winter months and avoid extreme winter. In the south is Avila Beach, Grover Beach and Pirate’s Cove. Avila Beach is a popular spot for locals to swim. Pirate’s Cove has cliffs that overlook the beach and is a favorite location to catch a stunning sunset. Each beachside community is unique and has its own charm.
Hiking and biking are two popular outdoor activities in SLO as well. There are multiple areas where you can conquer heights, venture into rolling hills, trek along the coast or explore natural forests of California’s coast live oak trees. The Tri-tip Challenge is a SLO rite of passage. This is a 7-mile journey consists of hiking up 3 famous SLO peaks, the Cal Poly “P”, Bishops Peak, and Cerro (Madonna) then finishes at Firestone restaurant with their famous tri-tip sandwich. Another popular hike is through Cal Poly’s Architecture Graveyard, an area in the hills where architecture students build experimental structures and play with environmental design through an annual competition.
A perk of living in California, particularly in the central region, is the access to fresh produce. California generates around $51.3 billion in agriculture each year and grows over a third of the country’s vegetables and three-quarters of the country’s fruits. In San Luis Obispo there is a huge farmer’s market, every Thursday in the heart of downtown, so you can easily buy fresh foods. It is truly a farm to table community, with multiple Michelin Guide restaurants. Restaurants such as Ember, Nate’s on Marsh, Flour House and Oyster Loft are highly rated for their tasty and inventive dishes.
Not only is SLO a gastronomical heaven, but it is also an area that has a rich history in winemaking. SLO itself has several fantastic wineries, such as Tolosa, Edna Valley, Biddle Ranch and Baileyana (True Myth). Directly north, 30 minutes away is Paso Robles, home to more than 200 wineries. The most recognized winemakers in this region are Austin Hope, J. Lohr, Justin and Daou but many of the smaller vineyards also produce delicious, award-winning wines. Paso Robles is also known for their breweries, Firestone Walker, Barrelhouse Brewing and Santa Maria Brewing.